Saturday, 13 December 2014

  Heal Asthma with Foods-Breathe Easier



What is Asthma?


Asthma is a lung disorder in which the airways become narrow and swell and produce extra mucus. This makes a person more difficult to breath, triggers coughing and wheezing.


What are asthma symptoms?


Shortness of breath
A tight chest – which may feel like a band is tightened around it
Trouble sleeping caused by coughing that won’t stop, shortness of breath or wheezing
Recurring episodes of wheezing  and breathlessness are known as asthma attacks. 
In severe cases, an untreated asthmatic attack can be life-threatening.

What triggers asthma ?





Kids who are around smokers have a higher chance of getting asthma early in life.
Asthma is more common in males during childhood but in females during adulthood.

When to seek an emergency care?
If you feel extreme difficulty in breathing
If your lips, face and finger nails turn into blue color
Decreased level of alertness such as severe drowsiness or confusion during asthma attack

When your rescue inhaler does not help
Rapid pulse rate

Sweating

Asthma is more common in overweight or obese people. The CDC found that  in asthma patients obesity rate is 39%  while the obesity rate among adults without asthma is 27%.



How to diagnose asthma?

Spirometry

A breathing test called spirometry will be carried out to check how well your lungs are working. Spirometry measures how much air you can breathe in and out. This test is useful to determine whether you have asthma and how severe the condition is.


Peak expiratory flow test
This test measure how fast you can blow air out of your lungs in one breath. This is your Peak expiratory flow(PEF). It measures how well the air is moving out of your lungs. Changes in peak    flow core  is helpful in warning about asthmatic attack.






Testing airway inflammation
Sometimes it  is useful to check inflammation of  your air ways. This will be done in two ways.
Sputum sample : A sample of Sputum will be taken. Sputum examination is done for signs of inflammation in the airways.


Nitric oxide concentration: The level of nitric oxide in your breath is measured using a special machine. A high level of nitric oxide will be a sign of airway inflammation.
On the other hand, Allergy tests,chest X-ray or an ECG (Electrocardiogram) are helpful to find out whether  foreign objects or other diseases are causing this symptoms.

Asthma is controllable but not curable. Patients suffering from asthma can only control this problem. They have to make lifestyle modifications and have to  follow the medication routine.



Best anti -asthma foods

Kiwi: Kiwi fights against wheezing,shortness of breathe,runny nose and cough. According to research,children who eats more citrus and kiwi fruits(5-7 times per week) occurrence of  wheezing is reduced by half compared to children  who eats less.




Flax seeds: Flax seeds  are rich source of asthma easing  minerals such as potassium,magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids. Omega -3 fatty acids fights against asthma due to their anti-inflammatory properties. It consists of more omega -3 fatty acids compared to salmon.

Spinach: Spinach is an effective anti-asthmatic food which contains such as potassium,magnesium, vitamin E & C and beta carotene. According to research, women with a high intake of spinach had a lower prevalence of asthma.



Bananas: Bananas are best source of  vitamin B6 which is helpful in relaxing bronchial muscle tissue. According to British study, children who ate just one banana per day had a 34% lesser chance of developing asthma.







Garlic: Garlic  has ant inflammatory properties and a good source of vitamin C and potassium. It helps in easy breathing in asthma patients.







Studies have shown that vitamin D  from sunlight can help control symptoms of asthma by increasing immunity. Mushrooms,egg yolk,cheese,soy milk are rich sources of vitamin D.






Salmon: Salmon is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil can improve pulmonary function in asthma patients and can protect against exercise induced bronchoconstriction.


Apples: According to research, pregnant women who eat apples may be able to protect their children from developing asthma as well as children who takes apple juice daily reduce their risk of developing asthma.








Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes contains plenty of  vitamin C and potassium which are least likely to cause allergic reactions.




Ginger and Turmeric : Ginger and turmeric have strong anti inflammatory properties which is helpful in reducing asthma symptoms.





Tomatoes: Studies shows that lycopene in tomatoes aids in reducing lung inflammation.


Carrots: Carrots are a source of beta-carotene  and  vitamin C which is helpful for people susceptible to asthma.







Avocado: These delicious creamy fruits have highest concentration of  glutathoine which is helpful in alleviating asthma.











No comments:

Post a Comment